Controversy Continues to Swirl Over School's Arrangement With Church
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Updated: December 5, 2012
The controversy over a Little Rock elementary school's arrangement with a local church's adaptation of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" continues to make national headlines.
As a result, the church putting on that show has rescheduled its performance from Friday, Dec. 14, a school day, to Saturday, Dec. 15.
In a news release statement, Agape Church wrote: "While we regret the loss of students who will not this particular opportunity right now, we have taken the matinee off the table."
A church spokeswoman declined an on-camera interview with KARK and the principal of Terry Elementary school did not return our call seeking an interview.
The atheist group that raised the issue, based on a parent's complaint, said this would have never become controversial had the production not been sanctioned by the school.
"Had the performance only been scheduled on a Saturday this controversy never would have been possible for the school to have a field trip then, field trips are supposed to be educational events," said Anne Orsi, Vice President of the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers.
Orsi said her organization does not have an issue with Christmas, Charlie Brown or the church.
The bone of contention, Orsi says, is the separation of church and state.
Little Rock School District spokeswoman Pam Smith said the district does not endorse or encourage religious activities.
Smith said the district, however, supports the school principal's decision to approve of the field trip as a cultural experience since the first and second grade teachers involved sent letters notifying parents of the show's religious content and providing them with the option of not allowing their kids to attend.
The debate touched off in late November when a Little Rock parent told Freethinkers she is concerned her daughter could be subjected to ridicule if she did not let her child go to the show.
As a result, the church putting on that show has rescheduled its performance from Friday, Dec. 14, a school day, to Saturday, Dec. 15.
In a news release statement, Agape Church wrote: "While we regret the loss of students who will not this particular opportunity right now, we have taken the matinee off the table."
A church spokeswoman declined an on-camera interview with KARK and the principal of Terry Elementary school did not return our call seeking an interview.
The atheist group that raised the issue, based on a parent's complaint, said this would have never become controversial had the production not been sanctioned by the school.
"Had the performance only been scheduled on a Saturday this controversy never would have been possible for the school to have a field trip then, field trips are supposed to be educational events," said Anne Orsi, Vice President of the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers.
Orsi said her organization does not have an issue with Christmas, Charlie Brown or the church.
The bone of contention, Orsi says, is the separation of church and state.
Little Rock School District spokeswoman Pam Smith said the district does not endorse or encourage religious activities.
Smith said the district, however, supports the school principal's decision to approve of the field trip as a cultural experience since the first and second grade teachers involved sent letters notifying parents of the show's religious content and providing them with the option of not allowing their kids to attend.
The debate touched off in late November when a Little Rock parent told Freethinkers she is concerned her daughter could be subjected to ridicule if she did not let her child go to the show.
